Rail joint



Patented July 3l, 1928.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

OIBEl LOCKARD, OF ONHVIODORE, PENNSYLVAN'IA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MAX CRAWFORD, OF COMMODORE, PENN SYLVANIA.`

RAIL JOINT.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective form of rail joint in which the usual fish plates for coupling connecting rails are omitted; to provide a construction in which the connecting elements are integral parts of' the rails and so arranged that adequate provision is made for expansion and contraction; and to provide fasteners readily att-ached merely with an impact tool and capable of retaining the attached position irrespective of the jar and vibration to which the rails are subjected when in use.

VVit-h this object in view, the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of two connected rail sections, showing the invention applied t-hereto.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View 'of the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

In carrying out the invention, the rail sections, suchv as those indicated at and 11 in the drawings, have their web portions provided with tongues 12 extending beyond the base and tread and oiiset laterally from the plane of the web portion to overlap theV web portion of the connected section. The tongue at one end is offset to one side of the web and at the other end to the other side of the web, so that rails may be turned end for end and the necessary connection readilyv made.

The tongues 12 at their extremities are provided wit-h lateral extensions 14 disposed transversely of the rail, the extension of the tongue oi' one rail extendingthrough an eye 15 of the connected rail. Each extension is formed with a slot 16 for the reception of a key 17, the key being applied after the extension is inserted through the eye 15. A bearing plate 18 is provided, lying against the web, the top face of the base and the under face of the tread, this plate being provided with an eye through which the extension 14 projects and serving as a bearing for the key 17.

The key 17 on one edge is provided with a notch 19 and directly opposite on the other edge is provided with a lateral projection 20. When the key is inserted through the slot 16 in the extension, it iinally reaches the point where the notch 19 engages with the slot 16 at one end, the lateral projection 20 at the same time engaging in the slot in the bearing plate 18. Thus, the key is interlocked in the extension and whenboth keys have been seated, the coupling operation of the rails is completed. The notch 19 and the projection 20 preclude unseating of the keys except by an impact tool, so that no matter what the vibration to which the rails are subjected in ordinary use, the coupling connection between them remains fixed.

The invention having been described, whatis claimed as new and useful is:

1. A rail joint comprising adjacent rail sections of which the web portions are provided with longitudinally extending tongues,

the tongue of one section overlapping the web of the adjacent section, the tongues being formed with lateral extensions projecting through slots in the rail webs, said extensions having slots, andkeys insertable in the slots in the extensions and notched on one edge to engage the extension slots at one end vand provided with lateral projections opposite said notches for engagel ment with the slots in the rail webs.

2. A railV joint comprising adjacent rail sections of which the web portions are provided with longitudinally extending tongues, the tongue of one section overlapping the web of the adjacent section, the tongues being formed with lateral extensions projecting through slots in the rail webs, said extensions having slots, keys insertable in the slots in the extensions and notched on one edge to engage the extension slots at one end and provided with lateral projections oppo` site said notches for engagement with the slots in the rail webs, and bearing plates seated against the rail webs and formed with slots through which said extensions project, said keys on one edge engaging the bearing plates. Y

In testimony whereof he alixes his signature. 

